READER SUBMITTED: US

June 16, 2014|Ted Fitzgerald, U.S. Department of Labor, Statewide

The U.S. Department of Labor will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, June 19, at the Courtyard by Marriott, 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, to notify current and former nuclear weapons employees who worked at 33 covered facilities in southern New England about the benefits available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

"We believe there are many current and former nuclear weapons workers living in southern New England who are eligible for monetary compensation and medical benefits, but who have yet to file a claim. Our goal is to inform these individuals about the program and to assist them with obtaining the compensation and medical benefits to which they are entitled. We encourage anyone interested in filing a claim or learning more about the EEOICPA to attend the upcoming town hall meetings or contact our New York Resource Center at 800-941-3943," said Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Director Rachel P. Leiton.

The program, which is administered by the DEEOIC, part of the department's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to eligible U.S. Department of Energy nuclear weapons workers, including employees, former employees, contractors and subcontractors. Survivors of qualified workers may be entitled to benefits. Officials will present an overview of Parts B and E of the EEOICPA and discuss the medical benefits available to approved claimants.

Staff from DEEOIC's Cleveland District Office and New York Resource Center will be available for extended hours on June 18-19 to assist individuals with filing new claims under the EEOICPA and to provide updates on existing claims. These meetings are open to the public and preregistration is not required.